New Hampshire Colony facts

Geography

The geography of New England consisted of mountains thick with trees, rivers and poor rocky soil that was difficult to farm and unsuitable for crops

Climate

Coldest of the three regions, mild and short summers leading to long, cold winters but less disease than in the warmer colonies

Economy

There were considerable differences between the New England, Middle and Southern regions. Economic activities and trade were dependent of the environment in which the Colonists lived. The geography and climate impacted the trade and economic activities of New England Colonies. In the New England towns along the coast, the colonists made their living fishing, whaling, and shipbuilding. The fish included cod, mackerel, herring, halibut, hake, bass and sturgeon. Whale oil was a valuable resource as it could be used in lamps. Farming was difficult in New England for crops like wheat because of the poor soil but corn, pumpkins, rye, squash and beans were planted. The Northern Colonies of New England concentrated in manufacture and focused on town life and industries such as ship building and the manufacture and export of rum. See Triangular Trade.